Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Lately I feel the strong need to simplify my life-- to get back to basics; to remove the things that aren’t working for me; to just enjoy the moment I am in without worrying what the next one will bring.

I want to enjoy the feel of the fresh grass under my bare feet as I play with my dog, not caring if I get grass stains on my jeans. I want to be completely aware of the scent of the tulips on the breeze as it slowly blows past. I want to just sit on the hill completely drinking in the sights and sounds of nature around me.

I want to linger over a cup of coffee with my best friend after the sun has set, but a few rays of pink and red light remain. I want to enjoy the sound of our laughter and the other hushed conversations being carried on around us without worrying about checking my text messages or missing a call.

I want to completely lose myself in the pages of a novel without paying attention to the time. I want to just lounge on the swing by the pond not only reading but also being calmed by the sound of the gently flowing water.

I want to sit on my deck with my feet propped up on the railing watching as the sun brilliantly sinks behind the hills and notice the jetliners as they leave trails in the clouds behind them. I want to count the stars after night has fallen and watch the shadows of the trees dance in the moonlight.

I want to fully enjoy the summer. In order to do that, I feel like I need to pull back a bit. Blog when I feel like I have something meaningful to say, not just because it’s a certain day and I need to post. Twitter less about what I am doing and just do it. I’ve made some wonderful friends through this site and those friendships are important to me; this blog is important to me.

I’m not going any where -- I am just unplugging a little bit more, turning off my phone more often, and disconnecting myself from the internet a little bit more. I want to write more letters and make phone calls when I can actually sit down, talk and really listen giving the person on the other end my full attention instead of calling while I am driving to my next destination, rushing about here or there.

25 comments:

TOTALLY know what you are talking about and i try to attempt it on a daily basis, i wish you all the luck in your endeavor and cannot wait to recieve a snail mail letter because i will be the first to write back to you!!! its all about the little things...

Ahhhhh, Mandy, you do have a way of writing what I am feeling..how do you do it? This is exactly how we all should live... connected to PEOPLE, not technology... totally get it! Thanks! I love writing letters, so drop me a line anytime!

i think that sounds like a beautiful idea. and sometimes, yoursoul just needs to let go of thingsand chillax.

kick back and enjoy the downtime. it is important. letting phone calls, and blogging, and email and whatever else get in the way of life is overwhelming. and it happens. to all of us.

being without my phone and a computer while in ecuador was sooooo rewarding! it made me realize how much i was missing out on from being tied down to technology. (not to say i wasn't ecstatic to get it back upon my arrival)

Good for you! I'm sure it will be hard at first but it can be done. I would like to make the same pledge for myself! Too much time gets lost doing life instead of living life. Here's to a great summer of LIVING!

i agree with you 100% and i'm starting my own simplicity of sorts. cutting my technology time in half and taking more time for myself and my relationship. it feels so good to not be connected to everything all the time now.

all i have to do now is move somewhere where i can have a yard with some soft grass :)

Loved everything you said you want to get back to!!! Sounds so good to me. I totally understand needing the break----but, I will miss you!!!Bask in the sun, put your feet up, relax, rest and enjoy---I'll be waiting for when you get back!!!PS--your comments on my blog, cracked me up--as usual!!!! I remember the days of fingers crossed, please be negative!!!

Yes I have wanted this many times. I have been trying to do this this year. Just enjoy my life and take time to relax and just talk. I'm not big into the busy, go, go, go life anymore. It really is time to smell the roses! I loved your post!

I know how this goes. For the past few months I have been trying to slow down my life. For me, that was cutting back the time I spend online and blogging. The break was nice and now I am ready to pick up blogging again and enjoy the summer!

Welcome!

I'm Mandy and hail from a small town along the Ohio river. I take comfort in books, writing, and my KitchenAid mixer. In October 2011 I uprooted my life and moved to an incredibly rural (though I didn't know it at the time) area in Georgia. This blog is a compilation of my life which includes thoughts I'm currently thinking, self reflections, favorite childhood memories, hopes for the future and everything in between.